Electrical Infrastructure

Medium speed rotary emulator

Description

Lir offers a scaled rotational test rig for generator type selection, control strategy design and optimisation, and power quality analysis rated at 22 kW and 1500rpm. The flexible design of the test rig facilitates islanded, direct and indirect connection to the grid of many different types of generator (Permanent Magnet synchronous generator, Wound Rotor induction generator (IG), , Squirrel Cage IG). For significantly lower costs than at-sea testing, results from the test rig can inform device developers’ decision-making through all stages of the development and testing processes. Flexible system control options are available, from simple fixed speed or torque modes to more complex hardware in the loop system modelling modes.

The high speed rotary emulator consists of a PM (Permanent Magnet) machine with resolver feedback directly coupled to an induction machine with encoder feedback. High speed operation is achievable with ratings of 9,000 rpm and power ratings of 11 kW.

Various advanced electrical control options are available with the Vacon and Parker drive panels both with full regenerative capability and Ethernet connectivity, as well as the HBM torque sensor. A Sorrensen 10 kW dc power supply allows flexibility of power flows.

Linear PTO test rig

Description

Many types of ocean energy devices have a linear power take off system. At Lir a ¼ scale linear electromechanical test rig has been built to emulate the linear motion induced by the waves. The rig is rated at 20 kW, 1 m/s, 1.8mm/s2 and 15 kN with a stroke length of 1m. Device developers bring their scaled prototypes to Lir-NOTF for characterisation and analysis. Valuable lessons about the controllability, lifetime analysis and stress testing of the prototype can be learned. The system is controlled using an industrial standard PLC and HMI, to ensure safety of equipment and personnel.

The rotary PTO test rig consists of a standard 6 pole, 15 kW machine operated from a universal variable speed ac Emerson UniDrive. The rotary PTO test rig, together with components of the microgrid, provides generator testing options to developers for their initial scaled test device, at various speeds and load profiles.

Microgrid

Description

The Microgrid consists of a dual-bus three phase system. Generation, storage and load elements can be added to the Microgrid to build up a wide variety of test configurations. The Microgrid can operated in parallel with local grid or as an islanded system. Sources of power include a 33 kVA diesel generator a wind/ocean energy emulator and fully controllable Triphase back-to-back 90 kW and 15 kW converters can exchange power between the grid and microgrid and offer a huge flexibility option. Storage is provided by a 5 kWhr lithium ion battery with 10 kW peak power flows. Full controllable and adjustable loads with leading and lagging power factors are available including a 50 kVA Crestchic loadbank. Robust system control is provided by industry standard PLCs, while high speed data acquisition is offered by National Instruments cRIO system. An Opal-RT power hardware in the loop system provides advanced grid specific grid emulation capabilities.